In order to compare the two paintings, we need to understand what makes them different.
First and foremost, Riemenschneider’s Last Supper is significantly smaller than Leonardo’s. It measures only 24 inches by 36 inches. This makes it more intimate in scale, showing only the head and shoulders of each apostle. In fact, this is one of the reasons why his painting is more expressive—the faces of the apostles are focused on a single object (Jesus), and there are no halos around their heads or background details to distract from their expressions.
Leonardo’s painting shows Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss; he also includes halos around Jesus’ head and those of his apostles. The table in his painting is set for a meal with bread and wine on it, while Riemenschneider’s depicts a bare table with just bread in front of each apostle. The background of Leonardo’s painting is much more elaborate than that of Riemenschneider’s; it features an elaborate Renaissance-style hall that reflects the opulence of Renaissance Italy (and perhaps even Leonardo’s own wealth).
